The Portland daily press., 1887-01-26
some More pofS,and sl,,s.

Besldes the bllls spoken Of yesterday as Of
special Interest to Portland there are three
Others prepared by Mayor Chapman which
are also Of much Importance to the city and
deserve the favorable consideration of the
Legislature. These are acts relating to the
relief Of the city from maintaining Pride's
and Stroudwater bridges, and an act relating
to the Strengthening of the boundary line be-
tween Deering and Portland.
In regard to Pride's and Stroudwater
bridges, the city Of Portland has maintained
these bridges ever since Falmouth Neck was
set off from the own of Falmouth in 1856,
and incorporated as the town of Portland
at that time the town of Falmouth contained
an exceedingly large area Of territory, but
the population was largely concentrated in
the Neck, or what is now Portland. In con-
sideration Of being set off from Falmouth. it
was provided in the act Of separation that
Portland should from time to time amend
and repair Pride's and Stroudwater bridges.
Under this act Portland has sustained those
bridges for more than one hundred years. in
volving a cost to our city of great MANY
thousand dollars. Now the conditions are
all changed. Westbrook and Deering have
become populous and wealthy, to large ex-
tent under the investment and enterprise of
Portland capital. While the debt Of these
towns is but two per cent. of their valuation.
the debt Of Portland is nearly ten per cent.
Of its valuation. The conditions of travel
have also changed, so that the bridges are
no longer used by the general public in
reaching Portland, as they come almost en-
tirely by railroad, and consequently their
use IL largely for local purposes, and, as one
is situated seven miles and the other three
miles from the Portland line, Portland has
no interest in sustaining them. The bridges
as originally existing one hundred years ago
were but narrow ways constructed rudely of
logs, but through the liberality of Portland
few years ago an iron bridge was built
across Presumpscot river at an expense of
nearly five thousand dollars. 1t Is the gen.
eral sentiment, not only of our citizens, but
also Of many of the citizens of Deering with
whom we have talked, that Portland should
be no longer obliged to maintain them.
In regard to Strengthening the boundary
line between Deering and Portland This
act seems to be demanded as 1t will greatly
benefit the residents Of the strip proposed
to be annexed, and be a matter of Justice and
convenience to Portland. The strip pro-
posed to be annexed is simply the continue
tion Of Congress street and has been for
many years lighted and given police protec-
tion by our city, while many of its residents
have sent children into our schools, and near
lyiall of them are furnished employment in
our city. 1t is matter Of justice to our own
citizens who live on Douglass street, to
straighten this line, because, at the present
time, they cannot reach their schools or yot-
ing place, or places Of business in our city.
without passing through a section of the
town Of Deering The statement that it will
deprive Deering of portion Of its valuation
can besanswered fully by saying that Portland
is continually investing capital in Deering,
and has, within the past few years. through
its enterprising citizens, laid out new streets
and built many residences for investment, in
the aggregate amounting to very much more
than the valuation proposed to be annexed
to Portland.
In regard to the Back Bay commission. IL
may be further said that the present citv
governments under Mayor Chapman petit
toned the general government for an an
preparation for dredging the Back Bay for
commercial purposes. This dredging is
about to take place and in view Of the many
improvements which are contemplated on
that side of the city, it is proposed to estab-
lish commission which shall have super
vision Of such improvements, and be en-
powered to strictly watch and maintain the
city's interest in the same Under this com
mission it is expected to acquire from the
State any rights that it may hold in the
for the benefit Of the city, and also
to secure through appropriations from the
government upon recommendation, an en-
Iargement Of the ship channel and a deepen
ing of the waters Of the Bay, so that the
whole water front may bemade available for